BigBlueButton vs Teams (Microsoft Teams) for Online Classes

BigBlueButton vs Teams for teaching? An honest look at classroom tools, browsers, data location and cost model for Microsoft Teams and BigBlueButton. Try an open-source classroom live.

Short answer

  • BigBlueButton is best for teaching inside Moodle or Chamilo, with students joining from any browser and data on a server you choose.
  • Microsoft Teams is best for organisations that already run on Microsoft 365 and want classes, chat and files in the same place.

Feature comparison

BigBlueButtonMicrosoft Teams
What it isOpen-source virtual classroom (LGPL-3.0) [1]Collaboration app in Microsoft 365 [2]
Breakout roomsYesYes, created and managed from Teams for desktop [3]
Whiteboard on slides, polls, shared notesYesAvailable through Microsoft 365 apps (check Microsoft's docs for your licence)
Browser supportRuns in the browserChrome and Edge fully supported; Firefox and Safari with limits; on mobile the app is recommended [2]
RecordingsYes, with MP4 download [4]Yes; recording length limit applies [2]
Inside MoodleStandard Moodle activity [5]Not part of Moodle core
Class teamsNot applicableClass teams need an Office 365 Education licence [2]
Where it runsAny server you or your partner chooseMicrosoft's cloud

Privacy and data location

With BigBlueButton, recordings, chat and attendance stay on the server that hosts it. MynaParrot hosting is the usual option; your partner can also host on servers you choose.

Teams runs in Microsoft's cloud. Microsoft offers data residency commitments for Teams through its Product Terms, the Advanced Data Residency add-on and Multi-Geo, and Spain is one of its Local Region Geographies. Meeting recordings are stored in the OneDrive of the person who records [6][7].

Cost model (no prices)

  • BigBlueButton: free open-source software; hosting, set-up and support agreed with your partner.
  • Microsoft Teams: part of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 plans (per-user subscription, with education plans); limits depend on the plan [2].

When to choose the other option

Choose Teams if your staff and students already have Microsoft 365 accounts, you teach with class teams and Assignments, and you don't need the class to live inside Moodle or Chamilo.

FAQ

BigBlueButton vs Teams: which is better for online classes?
BigBlueButton suits teaching inside Moodle or Chamilo with browser join and data on your server. Microsoft Teams suits organisations already on Microsoft 365 that want classes, chat and files together.
Do students need a Microsoft account for BigBlueButton?
No. They join in the browser from a link or their course.
Does BigBlueButton work in Firefox and Safari?
BigBlueButton runs in the browser on computers, tablets and phones. Your partner checks the browsers your students use during set-up.
Can I use BigBlueButton and Teams together?
Yes. Many organisations keep Teams for staff meetings and use a classroom tool inside their learning platform for lessons.
Where are BigBlueButton recordings stored?
On the server that hosts BigBlueButton, in the country you choose.
Try plugNmeet liveTalk to a partner

Sources

  1. BigBlueButton install docs: https://docs.bigbluebutton.org/administration/install
  2. Microsoft Learn, limits and specifications for Teams (browsers, recordings, class teams, plans): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/limits-specifications-teams
  3. Microsoft Support, breakout rooms in Teams: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-breakout-rooms-in-microsoft-teams-meetings-7de1f48a-da07-466c-a5ab-4ebace28e461
  4. BigBlueButton customisation (MP4): https://docs.bigbluebutton.org/administration/customize
  5. BigBlueButton Moodle integration: https://bigbluebutton.org/moodle-integration/
  6. Microsoft 365 data locations (Local Region Geographies incl. Spain): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/o365-data-locations
  7. Data residency for Microsoft Teams: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/m365-dr-workload-teams

Last checked: 15 Oct 2026

This website uses BigBlueButton and is not endorsed or certified by BigBlueButton Inc. BigBlueButton and the BigBlueButton Logo are trademarks of BigBlueButton Inc. Moodle™ is a registered trademark of Moodle Pty Ltd. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Jitsi are trademarks of their respective owners. MYNAPARROT SL is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations. Comparisons are based on public information checked on 15 Oct 2026 and may change.

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BigBlueButton vs Teams (Microsoft Teams) for Online Classes | MynaParrot